Israeli soldiers return to Israel from Gaza Strip, on Aug. 4. / AP

by Yousef al-Helou and Victor Kotsev , Special for USA TODAY

by Yousef al-Helou and Victor Kotsev , Special for USA TODAY

GAZA CITY - Israel said it withdrew all its military troops from Gaza on Tuesday as it and Hamas began a three-day cease-fire that appeared to hold on its first day.

The 72-hour truce so far is the longest in the nearly month-long conflict. Previous cease-fires were short-lived and ended with both sides blaming each other for undermining peace efforts. The situation is still volatile, and fighting that began July 8 between Israel and the Hamas militants who control Gaza has not ended.

The truce - if it continues - will be followed by indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo aimed at creating a deal that would prevent future conflict between the two sides. Gaps between the Israelis and Hamas are wide, and it's not clear how much can be achieved.

Hamas wants Israel and Egypt to lift their seven-year border blockade on Gaza and has called for international funds to rebuild the shattered coastal territory. Israel is reluctant to open Gaza's borders until Hamas is disarmed.

Just minutes ahead of the start of the truce, shelling still echoed across Gaza, and Israel said Hamas fired a heavy barrage of rockets at southern and central Israel.

Still, the Israeli military spokesman, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, said the withdrawal is complete and that Israel will now "maintain defensive lines outside Gaza."

He said the withdrawal follows Israel's destruction of 32 cross-border tunnels that permitted militants to carry out attacks against Israel.

Hamas has not commented on the withdrawal.

Nearly 1,900 Palestinians - most of them civilians - have been killed since the fighting began, according to Gaza's health ministry. Israel's military says 64 of its soldiers and three civilians were killed.

Some Israelis on Tuesday were skeptical about Hamas' commitment to the cease-fire.

"It's not worth negotiating with them because they are not reliable and they broke all their commitments," said Idan Zigel, 25, from Tel Aviv.

Khalid Ali, 39, from Gaza, reflected on the cease-fire but also the trail of destruction the month-long conflict has caused.

"Our children should at least enjoy a short time of fun, wearing new clothing, playing with toys, but many children are in their graves now, and will not get that chance."